10 Feb 2016

Sport: Fiji cricketers still waiting for complete performance

1:27 pm on 10 February 2016

Fiji coach Shane Jurgensen says his players have improved with every game at the Under 19 Cricket World Cup but are yet to put in a complete team performance.

Fiji are winless after five matches and playoff against Canada on Thursday to avoid finishing in last place.

There have been individual bright spots, with Cakacaka Tikoisuva the tournament's joint top wicket-taker with 12 at an average of 16.83, while Peni Vuniwaqa is averaged more 30 with the bat.

Coach Shane Jurgensen said Josaia Baleicikoibia had also contributed with both bat and ball but they haven't had enough support.

"We've had sort of three or four guys that have certainly stood out but it's probably been the main issue throughout: to win games of cricket we really need more of an overall team contribution. Unfortunately most games we've only really had one, two [or] at the most three people that have played a good game or above to an outstanding game and we've just had way too many people not really adapt to conditions and batting has been very sort of disappointing in terms of our discipline."

Shane Jurgensen said Fiji's bowling and fielding was better in their last match against Scotland but they're still giving up too many wides.

The Fiji Under 19 team at the World Cup in Bangladesh.

The Fiji Under 19 team at the World Cup in Bangladesh. Photo: Cricket Fiji